DCMS names charities given funding to create 6,000 youth group places

Nine uniformed youth groups organisations are to receive funding to create more than 6,000 places for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds across England, the Department of Culture, Media and Sport has announced.

Around £4.2m funding, which will be administered by the Youth United Foundation, a network of uniformed youth groups, will create 6,250 new places for young people to join groups such as the Scout Association and the Girlguiding groups.

It will also create around 1,150 opportunites for adults to volunteer.

These groups will use the funding to open units in disadvantaged areas, increase their recruitment drive for volunteers and help people with special educational needs. The money will also be used to create 1,150 new volunteer spaces for adults, to research mental health and well-being, and to ensure the sustainability of the organisations.

Jeremy Wright, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “Youth groups teach important life skills, build friendships and help expand young people’s horizons. Every child should have the chance to join one of these groups, no matter what background they are from or what area of the country. This funding is creating thousands of new places so that even more children can enjoy these valuable experiences.”

The fund was announced last September and has been administered Youth United Foundation, a network of uniformed youth groups.

Only organisations that were part of the Youth United Network were eligible to apply for funding. The largest grant was given to Volunteer Police Cadets, who received £860,000 to offer start-up grants for 75 new units in the top 35 per cent most deprived areas.